ABSTRACT
Miel I, the highest RCC dam in the world built to date (188 m) was put in operation on April 2002, in Colombia, breaking down the standing world record of 136 m high. The dam is part of the civil works for the Miel I Hydroelectric Project. This article presents an historical briefing of the project, and the different design alternatives considered, highlighting the characteristics of the solution finally adopted. The aspects involved in the design process are described, specially: material selection, use and design of low-cement content mixes, selection of the different types of RCC mixes in the dam according to the structural and thermal analysis, dam foundation geotechnical analysis, drainage and curtain grouting system, dam waterproofing system, design of the spillway and dam upstream face integration and instrumentation. Finally, the main conclusions and lessons learned from the designers and construction advisers participation in the project are summarized.
